Medical

MBABANE – The Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) has reacted with shock to the announcement that the United Nations agency focusing on the HIV/AIDS pandemic could close by the end of next year.

On Thursday, it was revealed that the UN Secretary General has proposed ‘sunsetting’ UNAIDS by the end of 2026.

This would mean that UNAIDS, as an independent entity, would cease to exist, with its functions – or many of them – integrated into the broader UN system.

Large funding shortfalls have already taken their toll, with staff reductions underway and many functions being scaled back.

Reports indicate that the proposed plan has emerged as the UN undergoes restructuring in response to a funding crisis, according to a document published online.

As stated in a document posted on its website, UNAIDS will ‘sunset’ by the end of 2026.

The document contains a set of proposals from the UN to member states, who will ultimately decide on the matter.

It further states that UNAIDS’s expertise should be shifted into the wider UN system in the following year.

Reacting to the news, CANGO Executive Director Thembinkosi Dlamini said the organisation was shocked.

“I am beyond shocked myself at the fact that the issue has reached this far. The understanding has been that there would be a reduction in the size of the UNAIDS staff and possibly, the number of countries where it operates. However, when they announce plans to shut it down altogether, it becomes a major concern,” Dlamini said.

He explained that the importance of UNAIDS could best be understood by looking into how the health sector operates.

According to Dlamini, the health sector is more technical, as it provides crucial clinical and biomedical services to communities, while UNAIDS complements these by supporting social behaviour change and communication initiatives.

“This means that UNAIDS supports non-governmental organisations in encouraging people to undergo testing for diseases, adopt healthier behaviours, and, most importantly, adhere to treatment – such as consistently taking their anti-retroviral drugs,” he said.

He added that if UNAIDS collapses, there is a strong possibility that new infections will rise in the Kingdom of Eswatini at an increasing rate, reversing the many targets the country has achieved.

“What is crucial at this point is for the country to be prepared. It is good that stakeholders are currently discussing the national budget and making contributions. Our input as CANGO is clear: we request that government enforce the integration of some of the services.

“These services should be reviewed and then incorporated into the government budget because we cannot rely on donors, especially at a time like this,” Dlamini stressed.

On the other hand, Minister for Health Mduduzi Matsebula said the ministry was monitoring the situation and would update the nation accordingly.

Meanwhile, on the UNAIDS website, a press statement has been posted, referencing the UN80 secretary general’s report.

The statement, dated September 19, 2025, confirmed that the UN secretary general has put forward UN reform proposals in his new UN80 progress report, ‘Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver’, which UNAIDS plans to discuss with its board and stakeholders.

It stated that, as underscored by the secretary general, it is up to member states and governing bodies to determine the way forward in implementing the UN80 reforms.

UNAIDS highlighted that it has been working within the secretary general’s UN80 vision and consulting with the UN80 team as it developed its transformation plans.

“UNAIDS has been advancing on its transition path and is proud to help lead the way as the UN system reforms. A new operating model, and a transition path that consists of two phases, has been developed through a broad and inclusive consultation process, and approved by the UNAIDS Board in June 2025.

“It was informed by the recommendations of the High-Level Panel on a resilient and fit-for-purpose UNAIDS Joint Programme, which was composed of diverse member states, civil society and other stakeholders. In July 2025, ECOSOC took note of the new operating model and proposed transformation process,” reads part of the statement.

The new operating model, according to the statement, aligns with the UN80 vision for a more integrated, coherent, and impactful UN development system. It is a two-phase transformation – the first currently being implemented, and the second scheduled to begin in 2027, leading to fuller integration into the UN system.

The first phase of transformation includes a 55 per cent reduction in UNAIDS Secretariat staffing (from 661 to 294). UNAIDS’ country presence is being consolidated from 85 to 54 countries, with a lighter footprint in 40 countries.

This re-deployment, it was stated, focuses on countries where 80 per cent of people with HIV reside and where 71 per cent of new infections occur.

Full article available in our publication.

Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations Executive Director Thembinkosi Dlamini said the organisation was shocked by the announcement that the United Nations agency focusing on the HIV/AIDS pandemic could close by the end of next year. (Pic: Courtesy)